New Jersey Bans Discrimination Based on Hair

Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on December 26, 2019 On December 19, 2019, New Jersey enacted legislation which amends the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination’s (“NJLAD”) to make clear that hairstyle discrimination is included in the existing prohibition on race-based discrimination. The amendment became effective immediately and follows similar legislation passed in New York … Read more

New York State Prohibits Discrimination Based on Reproductive Health Decisions

Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on December 5, 2019 Effective immediately, New York State prohibits employment discrimination based on an employee’s or a dependent’s “reproductive health decision-making.” The New York State Legislature passed the bill in January, 2019 and Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed it into law.  The law, which amends the New York … Read more

New Class Action Lawsuits Claim Businesses Must Supply Gifts Cards with Braille

Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on November 12, 2019 Recently, there has been a surge of class action lawsuits brought against businesses claiming discrimination against the visually impaired and blind for failure to provide gift cards with Braille information on them.  Specifically, it has been reported that since October 24, 2019, over 100 putative class … Read more

NYC Human Rights Law Expanded to Protect Independent Contractors and Freelancers

Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on October 16, 2019 The New York City Council recently passed a law that will expand the New York City Human Rights Law to cover independent contractors and freelancers. The law will become effective January 11, 2020. Specifically, the anti-discrimination and retaliation provisions of the New York City Human … Read more

New York Prohibits Hair Discrimination in the Workplace and Schools

Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on July 29, 2019 On July 12, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed S.6209A/A.7797A into law, which prohibits employers and school officials from discriminating against individuals based on hairstyle or hair texture. The bill took effect immediately upon enactment. Specifically, the law amends the definition of race, as it is used in … Read more

U.S. District Court Holds New York Law Prohibiting Mandatory Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Claims is Invalid

In April, 2018, Governor Cuomo signed the New York State Budget bill that included legislation focused on combating sexual harassment in the workplace.  Among the provisions in the law, was a statewide prohibition against employment agreements that require the mandatory arbitration of sexual harassment claims.  On June 26, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the … Read more